Glenalvon

Item details

Name of item: Glenalvon
Other name/s: Glenalvon and Stables
Type of item: Built
Group/Collection: Residential buildings (private)
Category: House
Location: Lat: -34.0675188292 Long: 150.8148812860
Primary address: 8 Lithgow Street, Campbelltown, NSW 2560
Parish: St Peter
County: Cumberland
Local govt. area: Campbelltown
Local Aboriginal Land Council: Tharawal
Property description
Lot/Volume CodeLot/Volume NumberSection NumberPlan/Folio CodePlan/Folio Number
LOT1 DP34658
All addresses
Street AddressSuburb/townLGAParishCountyType
8 Lithgow StreetCampbelltownCampbelltown St PeterCumberlandPrimary Address
Carberry LaneCampbelltownCampbelltown St PeterCumberlandAlternate Address

Owner/s

Organisation NameOwner CategoryDate Ownership Updated
Department of Planning and EnvironmentState Government 

Statement of significance:

Glenalvon is historically, aesthetically and socially significant as one of the oldest urban townhouses in the township of Campbelltown. The house and stables of Glenalvon are a significant landmark element. Glenalvon has been used continuously as a residence for almost 160 years and although some changes have been made to the house, much of the original fabric, dating from 1840, has survived intact. The landscape setting of the house is also important as it represents part of the original curtilage of the property and makes a major contribution to the historic townscape of Campbelltown.
Date significance updated: 27 Nov 98
Note: The State Heritage Inventory provides information about heritage items listed by local and State government agencies. The State Heritage Inventory is continually being updated by local and State agencies as new information becomes available. Read the Department of Premier and Cabinet copyright and disclaimer.

Description

Designer/Maker: Unknown
Builder/Maker: Michael Byrne; Fisher, Jackson, Hudson (restoration work)
Construction years: 1841-1841
Physical description: Garden:
Architects Otto Cserhalmi and Partners describe Glenalvon as 'a rare example of a residence and garden of its period, size, diversity, integrity and quality. The buildings and garden ...are rare both locally and in the wider context of Sydney and New South Wales'. 'The combination of surviving mature trees, shrubs and herbacious plants has produced a distinctive landscape with a high degree of seasonal interest and aesthetic value...colourful displays of camellias in late winter and early spring, jacarandas, crab apples and prunus in sprnig, roses in spring and summer, autumn foliage and evergreen palms and conifers year round can be appreciated...' (Fowler, 2002, 19).

The house is set in a mature garden, which contains some historic plantings including tall columnar Cook's pine (Araucaria columnaris) near the western boundary, a slow-growing cycad known as the sago palm (Cycas revoluta) in the front garden, a mature Californian desert fan palm (Washingtonia robusta) in the front garden near the house's western corner, two mature mulberries (Morus nigra), a bull bay, evergreen or Southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora), large (Peruvian) peppercorn (Schinus molle var.areira) and a Chinese weeping (or funeral) cypress (Cupressus funebris (ibid, 2002, 20).

Other mature trees include native silky oak (Grevillea robusta) and kurrajongs (Brachychiton populneus). Mature shrub plantings include oleanders (Nerium oleander cv.), double-flowered pomegranate (Punica granatum 'Flore Pleno' and African or Nile lilies (Agapanthus x praecox)(Stuart Read, visit, 8/2020 confirming the species listed in the previous paragraph as surviving then, too).

House:
James Broadbent has described Glenalvon as a quintessential colonial Georgian house, 'the epitome of twenty years of vernacular Georgian architecture in the colony...' (Fowler, 2002, 19).
An exceptional two storey Colonial Georgian finely cut sandstone residence with a symmetrical facade. Of Ashlar sandstone construction with quoin details. There are deep cellars accessed via two doors in the floor structure of the northern verandah of the house (ibid, 2002, 18).

The front verandah is stone flagged and is supported by turned stone Doric (Fowler, 2002, 18 says 'Tuscan') style columns. The hipped roof, originally shingled, is now clad in corrugated iron. The main entrance is located centrally on the southern elevation and double verandah posts on either side emphasise the point of entry. There are shuttered glass-panelled French doors either side of the main entry, opening onto the verandah. The five windows to the upper floor are double hung, timber sashed and of 9 panes to both the upper and lower sashes. They have sandstone sills and arches.

The rear of the house has a verandah supported by flat timber columns. To the rear (north) of the house is located the former stables consisting of a symmetrical rectangular sandstone building with central gable on the eastern facade containing the entry doors and loft doors above. The hipped and gabled roof is clad in corrugated iron sheeting and has decorative timber barge boards. The roof framings were noted in 1973 as being jointed, dowelled, pegged and numbered without the use of nails (NT Listing). The verandah and eaves have timber soffits. Cellars are located below the house.

Interior:
original cedar joinery, inc. six panelled doors, splayed panelled jambs to the windows and chimney pieces to the first floor; marble ground floor chimney pieces with sandstone mantlepieces; original geometric stair.

Stables:
Large Victorian Gothic style stables including a loft. Inside is a dish drain cut in the sandstone paving, designed to facilitate drainage when the stables was cleaned. The drain ends in a sump cut in the sandstone floor. During the early part of the Bursill period of ownership (1920s) the southern wing of the stables building was used as a laundry and still had a dirt floor. This wing was later converted into a flat, however its internal walls have since been removed. Tie-rods were added to the building in 1969-70 to help stabilise the walls (ibid, 2002, 19).
Physical condition and/or
Archaeological potential: 		The building and grounds are in excellent condition, having undergone extensive conservation works in1969. The property has been very well maintained since that time, although the garden is currently somewhat overgrown.
Date condition updated:01 Feb 99
Modifications and dates: 1969 - conservation and restoration of the building and grounds.
Further information: The site is currently being evaluated through the preparation of a detailed conservation plan. A CMP has been finalised and endorsed by HC on 24/7/2000.
Current use: House museum, events and public interpretation
Former use: Aboriginal land, town lot, town villa residence, private school

History

Historical notes: The original inhabitants of the Campbelltown area were mostly people of the Dharawal (sometimes referred to as Tharawal) language group, who ranged from the coast to the east, the Georges River in the west, north to Botany Bay and south to Nowra. However, Campbelltown was a meeting point with the Dharug language group (whose area extended across the Blue Mountains), and early history of the area includes references to both peoples. (Liston, Carol: Campbelltown: The Bicentennial History, 1988; www.abc.net.au/indigenous). Mount Annan, to the south-west of the Campbelltown City Centre, was known as Yandel'ora to its original owners, the Dharawal people and was an important meeting place for Aboriginal people from as far away as northern Queensland and southern Victoria. (http://www.daff.gov.au/natural-resources/landcare/publications/making_a_difference_a_celebration_ of_landcare/section_6_-_indigenous_landcare).

With the establishment of the convict colony in Sydney Harbour in 1788, the displacement of Aboriginal people began. A smallpox epidemic decimated many of the coastal clans, but was less destructive amongst the inland peoples.

Escaped cattle from the settlement moved south and bred in the Campbelltown/Camden area and after their discovery in 1795, the area became known as The Cow Pastures (or Cowpasture). In 1805, John Macarthur obtained a grant of 5,000 acres (later expanded to 10,000 acres) in the area, some of the best grazing land then known in the colony.

By 1809, 34 settlers had received grants in the newly named Minto district (named after Lord Minto, the Governor-General of India) in the northern portion of Campbelltown. Many of these early settlers were Irish, including surveyor James Meehan, who allocated himself a generous portion (now Macquarie Fields). Prominent settlers included surgeon Charles Throsby, who was allocated 600 acres (now Glenfield), Dr William Redfern (Campbellfield), Dr Robert Townson (Varroville) and Richard Brooks (Denham Court).

Though peaceful, the Dharawal bore the brunt of a punitive expedition led by Captain James Wallis in 1816. At least 14 Dharawal people were massacred at Appin, to the distress of sympathetic settlers such as Charles Throsby of Glenfield. The Appin massacre of 1816 was a devastating and tragic event for the Dharawal people and other local clans, and was a difficult period in terms of the relationship between Indigenous people and European settlers. Corroborees and other ceremonies continued under the protection of the Macarthurs of Camden, though numbers steadily declined, with diseases introduced by the Europeans also having a devastating effect on the Dharawal population.

As the district became more closely settled, a town was needed further south than Liverpool. Campbelltown was formally established in 1820 and named 'Campbelltown', in honour of Mrs Elizabeth Macquarie's maiden name of Campbell. In 1826, the town plan was formalised.

Between 1835 and 1845, the number of Aboriginal people in the Campbelltown Police District had decreased from twenty to none. However, limited tribal life continued and corroborees were still held at Camden Park and Denham Court until at least the 1850s. During 1858, approximately 200 Aboriginal people attended the celebrations at Campbelltown that were held to mark the opening of the railway line (LEP, 2016).

Campbelltown:
Permanent European settlement in the Campbelltown area had begun in 1809 as an alternative to the flood-prone Hawkesbury district. Work on a road from Sydney to Liverpool was started in 1811. It was opened in August 1814 and was soon extended further south to Appin. This road, variously known as Campbelltown Road, Appin Road or the Sydney Road, passed through Campbelltown. The section through the town was called the High Street until the last decade of the 19th century when it was renamed Queen Street (Orwell & Peter Phillips, 1995, vol.2, 1-2).

The land on which the Queen Street cottages stand was part of a grant of 140 acres to Joseph Phelps in 1816. He had been working the land for some years before receiving formal title to it. Phelps was one of the farmers of Airds and Appin who subscribed funds for a Sydney courthouse in July 1813. His grant was seized, possibly as soon as it was formally issued, by the Provost Marshal, William Gore in lieu of payment by Phelps of debts totalling 170 pounds. The land was auctioned in January 1817 to William Bradbury for 100 pounds plus twelve cattle and the grain produced from the crop growing on the land (ibid, 1995).

Immediately north of Phelps' grant, Assistant Surveyor James Meehan had informally reserved 175 acres for a village (AMCG, 1994 say 'in 1815'.) In 1816 most of the land in the area was granted, leaving a portion of 175 acres unalienated, and surrounded by several grants (AMCG, 1994, 9).

The reserved land was formally declared a town by Governor Macquarie in December 1820 and named Campbelltown in honour of his wife (Elizabeth)'s family (ibid, 1995).

William Bradbury (1774-1836) a native of Birmingham, was transported to NSW aboard the 'Guildford' in 1812. His wife Elizabeth remained in England but his daughter, Mary (1797-1852) followed her father to Australia in 1815. Bradbury had no other children in NSW, though he established a relationship with a woman named Alice and in April 1836 married a Campbelltown widow, Catherine Patrick, nee Acres (c.1801-1883). Bradbury died two months later (ibid, 1995, 2).

Governor Macquarie visited Campbelltown in January 1822. He and his party ate a 'hearty' breakfast at 'Bradbury's', indicating that Bradbury had built an inn. This was probably the inn later known as the Royal Oak, on the western side of the High Street. Macquarie noted in his journal that 'Bradbury is building a very good two storey brick house on his own farm and on a very pretty eminence immediately adjoining Campbell-Town as an inn for the accommodation the public and having asked me to give his farm a name, I have called it Bradbury Park. In 1826 Bradbury Park House was considered by William Dumaresq, inspector of roads and bridges, as the best building in Campbelltown when he reported on buildings suitable for military use (ibid, 1995, 2).

As the main street of Campbelltown, High Street or Sydney Road and later Queen Street, was at the edge of town, one side of the street was not within the town boundary while the other was. Canny traders soon realised that either side of the main road was as good as the other and leased or bought land from the grantees bordering the town proper. By the 1840s more than a few shops and hotels occupied the western side of the High Street (AMCG, 1994, 9).

The Queen Street terraces were identified by Helen Baker (Proudfoot) in the early 1960s as a unique group of two-storey late Georgian vernacular buildings which were considered to form the only surviving late-1840s streetscape within the County of Cumberland. The buildings were acquired by the Cumberland County Council and its successors, the State Planning Authority and Department of Planning, to ensure their preservation (ibid, 1995, 1).

The coming of the railway in 1858 aided in securing the commercial focus of the town on Queen Street (ibid, 1994, 9).

The Byrne family:
Hugh Byrne was born in County Wicklow, near Dublin in 1800, the son of Hugh and Sarah Byrne. Hugh ('Vesty': Fowler, 2002, 2) Byrne was convicted without trial and transported to Australia, with his family, in 1802 for treasonous practices in the 1798 Irish Rebellion (one of the 'Wicklow martyrs'. 'Vesty' (he named himself in memory of an ancestor who fought for Irish independence in the 17th century) worked in a brewery in Ireland before being arrested on a charge of burning yeomen's cottages and robbing them of arms during the Wicklow Uprising of 1798. Some 30,000 United Irishmen died during the revolt. Imprisoned briefly in Kilmainham Jail in 1799, Hugh Byrne was court-marshalled and sentenced to death but escaped and rejoined Michael Dwyer who had retreated into the thickly forested mountains of Wicklow to fight a guerilla war. Dwyer and his four lieutenants, Martin Burke, Hugh Byrne, John Mernagh and Arthur Devlin, fought the English forces until December 1803 when a deal was worked out whereby Dwyer and his friends were offered voluntary exile. Byrne and the other four Wicklow rebels sailed on the 'Tellicherry', leaving Cork in August 1805. They were sent to New South Wales not as felons, but as free men. Dwyer and Byrne were permitted to bring their families, so both were accompanied by their wives. The Byrnes sailed with two of their children, Michael and Rose. The eldest son Philip remained in Ireland. Sarah Byrne was pergnant when the 'Tellicherry' left Cork. She gave birth to daughter Anne before the ship entered Sydney heads on 15/2/1806 (ibid, 2002, 2).

When the Wicklow rebels arrived in Sydney, Governor King was greatly displeased. He interviewed them, warning they were under close surveillance. Land was survyed along Cabramatta Creek for them, however both Governors King and Bligh considered them dangerous and delayed handing over the deeds. In 1807, on the orders of Bligh, the Wicklow five were sent to trial on trumped up charges of rebellion. Although found not guilty and released, Bligh set up a Bench of Magistrates and contrived to have them treated as 'prisoners for life' (ibid, 2002, 3).

The five were split up, with Dwyer sent to Norfolk Island, Burke to Port Dalrymple in Tasmania and the others imprisoned elsewhere. While Hugh was in prison, Sarah gave birth to another daughter. The treatment of the 'Tellicherry Five' is considered by some to be a major cause of the military mutiny of 1808, commonly referred to as the 'Rum Rebellion'. When Bligh was overthrown in January 1808, a new administration pardoned the Tellicherry five. In addition to 100 acres at Cabramatta, Byrne was granted 70 acres in the district of Airds. In 1813 Hugh Byrne and John Mahony were charged with 'aiding and assisting in the stealing and driving away' of four cows which were the property of the Crown. Found guilty, Byrne was transported to the penal settlement at Newcastle in April 1813. Sarah continued to manage the farm and tendered to supply meat to the Government Stores. Hugh received a conditional pardon from Governor Darling in 1825. He petitioned for a further land grant in 1832, stating he had a family of fourteen children of whom nine were still living with him and 'claiming his support'. Rev. Reddall and the five local magistrates supported his petition...Hugh 'Vesty' Byrne died at his residence in Airds in April 1842. Sarah lived on at Campbelltown, dying in January 1872 (ibid, 2002, 4-5).

Michael Byrne was made an apprentice to Lawrence Butler, Irish overseer of the Government Lumber Yards, Sydney.

When he was 17, he penned a memorial to (Governor) Lachlan Macquarie, requesting a grant of land in such a position as the governor saw fit. He got 60 acres. In a second undated memorial Byrne wrote to Surveyor-General John Oxley, asking him to measure the 60 acres promised by Macquarie in 1820. The grant was near his father's land and adjoined government ground alongside the Georges River. Michael and brother Charles also made applications for town allotments and were allocted these in 1827. In his memorial to Governor Darling, Michael stated that he was residing at Airds and was a cabinet maker by trade. By 1829, when he applied for an additional grant, Michael had three horses, 100 head of cattle and a house he had built 'upon some land he rents at Campbelltown'. Rev. Thomas Reddall (the incumbent of St. Peter's (Catholic church), Campbelltown) endorsed this application, describing Michael as:
'A very deserving young man, industrious and honest and having a short time ago married a very prudent and industrious young woman, the daughter of a farmer in this district'. She was Jane Warby, twin daughter of John and Sarah Warby (ibid, 2002, 5).

Michael went on to own seven pubs in Campbelltown (including the 'Royal Oak' inn, Airds (in 1830 & 1831, he was licensee); 'Joiner's Arms' at Airds (1833-40; 1842-3; 1846). He subscribed to funds for St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Campbelltown, St. Bede's Church, Appin and the new St. Patrick's Catholic School at Campbelltown (ibid, 2002, 6-7).

Glenalvin Hall or Glenalvon:
Governor George Gipps granted a town allotment to Michael Byrne in July 1839. One condition of the grant was that a house be built within two years. On this land in Lithgow Street, Michael built an imposing two-storey house, later named Glenalvin Hall or Glenalvon. This was proof indeed that, despite all the obstacles along the way, Michael Byrne, son of Hugh 'Vesty' Byrne, had earned respect in his community (ibid, 2002, 7).

The outline of the house is first shown on two town plans dated November 1840, although the stables are not shown at this time. It is thought that Michael Byrne, a publican, built the house around this time on the grant of 1 acre and 32 perches, which was taken up in 1831. Although it is possible that the outbuildings were not shown, it is more likely that the stables were constructed later (which would be supported by the differing styles of the two buildings).

One of the stonemasons (former convict, Henry Lomas) who helped build such a fine house would die under sensational circumstances. Within the year, Byrne would almost lose everything after being charged with manslaughter (ibid, 2002, 7-8). He was tried, though not found guilty, of kicking a man to death (knocking him down and severely kicking, and striking in several places with a brass-headed hunting whip, after attending the Cowpasture Races: ibid, 2002, 8) for non-payment of a debt. Byrne was made insolvent in 1844, after having built (in 1841 - Lucas & McGinnes, 2012; between 1839 and 1842 (Tzannetis, 1987, 10) Glenalvon, the finest stone house in the town (Oakman, W., in Broadbent, Clarke & Oakman, 2008). Another of the stonemasons who may have built Glenalvon was John Roach who did work for Michael 'at a building in Campbelltown' and 'erecting a Toom' at the Burial Ground in Campbelltown (which may have been for Michael's father, Hugh 'Vesty' Byrne, who died in 1842 (ibid, 2002, 8).

The term 'villa' was first used in England in the 17th century, partly from the Latin and Italian 'country house, farm', perhaps derived from the stem of vicus (village). The villa was a country mansion or residence, together with a farm, farm-buildings, or other house attached, built or occupied by a person of some position and wealth. It was taken to include a country seat or estate and later a residence in the country or in the neighbourhood of a town, usually standing in its own grounds. From this is was appropriated by the middleof the 18th century to mean a residence of a superior type, in the suburbs of a town or in a residential district, such as that occupied by a person of the middle class, and also a small, better-class dwelling house, usually detached or semi-detached. The term 'villa garden' was used in the context of Hobart and Sydney residences in the 1830s, and if near the coast or harbour, the appellation 'marine villa' was often applied. Australian origins probably date from the grant conditions applied to Sydney's Woolloomooloo Hill (1827, under Governor Darling), which obligated the construction of villas fulfilling certain conditions... 'with garden like domain, and external offices for stables and domestic economy' (John Buonarotti Papworth, 1825, quoted in James Broadbent's 1997 book, 'The Australian Colonial House'). Many gardens of 19th century villas followed Gardenesque conventions, with garden ornaments often complementing the architecture of the house. The term had acquired such widespread usage by the 1850s that when Jane Loudon issued a new editiion of her husband (John Claudius Loudon)'s 'Suburban Gardener and Villa Companion' (1838) she merely entitled the revised work 'The Villa Gardener' (1850). This coincided with a growing period of suburbanisation in Australia with consequent fostering of the nursery trade... By the 1880s, descriptions of Australian villas implied sufficient room for a lawn on two or three fronts of the residence...(Aitken, 2002, 619-20).

By the 1840s various members of the Byrne family were experiencing financial difficulties, including Michael who by 1844 owed his brother-in-law, John Keighran (publican) the sum of 880 pounds 17s 3d. As partial payment of the debt John accepted the property in Lithgow Street and a 36 acre farm also owned by Byrne (in 1842. In 1844, Michael sought voluntary insolvency, and Keighran became the owner of Glenalvon: ibid, 2002, 8).

Catherine Byrne, one of Michael's sisters, married John Keighran at Campbelltown in 1825. Between 1831-44 Keighran was licensee of the 'Bargo Tavern', West Bargo. He lent money to Michael Byrne and in 1844, after his brother-in-law became insolvent, the house was tranferred to Keighran in part settlement of the debt. John and Katherine had 15 children, five sons and ten daughters. Like the Byrne family, Keighran was passionate about horse racing. He developed his own private race track just outside Campbelltown, which he leased to the Campbelltown Turf Club in 1851 for 5 shillings a year. He also bought Richmond Villa, which adjoined Glenalvon, and a number of other town allotments in Campbelltown. In 1855 he built a steam-operated flour mill on the Bow Bowing Creek on the Liverpool Road north of the township (ibid, 2002, 10).

Keighran is believed to have taken up residence in Glenalvon, along with wife Catherine, sometime in 1853. They would eventually have thirteen children there. Upon the death of both parents little more than a year apart in 1858, the property passed to two of their sons John and Patrick, as joint tenants. The property was mortgaged to pay debts of the (John and Catherine's) estate and the house was let to tenants. In 1864 John Keighran, who lived in Albury, was declared bankript. Like his father before him he had been a publican but when business fell away he turned to farming and opened a butchery. These were also unsuccessful, so after sequestering his estate he went to Melbourne as a drover to help support himself and a large family. His interest in Glenalvon was sold by the official assignee for 3 pounds in 1870. It was bought on behalf of William Cyrpian Curtis whose wife was Rose Keighran, bringing this share of the property back into the Keighran family (ibid, 2002, 11).

Glenalvon was let to John Kidd, JP in 1876 and he remained a tenant until 1878 when it was sold to the Fieldhouse brothers, Edwin and William (Tzannetis, 1987, 10).

Michael Byrne died in 1878 and was buried in the Irish corner of the Roman Catholic Cemetery in Campbelltown (Oakman, W., in Broadbent, Clarke & Oakman, 2008). He and Jane Byrne (nee Warby) had ten children (ibid, 2002, 10).

The Fieldhouse brothers were prominent businessmen in Campbelltown who owned over 44 properties within the town by 1884. From 1878-1891 "Glenalvin Hall" was the residence of Edwin Fieldhouse and his family. Local painter and decorator Mr R. Campion redecorated the house for Edwin, painting the stair hall to resemble marble and signing his name on a section of the marbling, upstairs. Edwin married Anne Bray of Denfield in 1866. Their children numbered 14, however several died young (four in the time they lived at Glenalvon). Despite these setbacks, in the 1891 census there were still 11 people livign at Glenalvon, five males and six females. Soon afterwards, the family moved out (ibid, 2002, 12).

From 1891-1904 the property remained in the joint ownership of the Fieldhouse brothers at the end of which time they divided their assets with Edwin retaining Glenalvon (Lot 91)(ibid, 2002, 12-13). Edwin vacated the house shortly after and it was variously tenanted (one tenant was Dr William Mawson, brother of the Antarctic explorer, Sir Douglas (1/1910-4/1913). In 6/1912 a Mrs Whittingham rented Glenalvon as a school, but that venture was short-lived and by May 1914 it had closed (ibid, 2002, 13) until 1920 when it was sold to tenant Samuel Bursill. He was born in Campbelltown in 1850. His parents were Hannah and William, an emancipated convict who was a shoemaker, storekeeper, auctioneer dealer and farmer. Samual arrived in Gulgong in 1872 and married Mercy Poulter in 1874. Between 1877-83 their family lived in the Sydney area before returning to Gulgong in 1883 to manage Samuel's brother-in-law's store during a long illness. About 1892 Samuel and family returned to Campbelltown to build a large shop in Queen Street. He let it and lived in Guildford for a time, before returning to Campbelltown. From 1909-13 Samuel Bursill was Mayor of Campbelltown. He and Mercy had 8 children (four died as infants). After the marriage of their children, Samuel and Mercy moved into Glenalvon, renting it in 1914 and buying in 1920. Their daughter Mercy (Jr.), her husband Edward and son Edward (Ted) Samuel King moved in with them when the young lad was 18 months old. In about 1924 Samuel's brother was reunited with the family at Campbelltown (ibid, 2002, 13).

Samuel died in 1925 and his brother returned to Kalgoorlie. Mercy lived on at Glenalvon, in which she had a life interest. Her grandson Ted King lived there until he graduated in Dentistry at Sydney University in 1934. She died, aged 91, in 1944 and was buried beside her husband in the Presbyterian cemetery, Campbelltown. According to the terms of a family agreement, Samuel's property was to be divided equally between his children. Daughter Hilda Davidson received Glenalvon as her share...She was a Sunday School teacher at St David's, a youth fellowship and scout leader and church organist for many years (ibid, 2002, 14).

Glenalvon was added in November 1962 to the Cumberland County Council's register of historic buildings (Tzannetis, 1987, 10)

Glenalvon remained in the ownership of the Bursill family until 1965 when* it was acquired by the (then) State Planning Authority (SPA) for $35,000 (Lucas interview, 2011). *The Department's stated intention was put into effect after the death of Hilda Davidson in 1967 (ibid, 2002, 16).

In 1969 architect John Fisher (member of the Institute of Architects, the Cumberland County Council Historic Buildings Committee and on the first Council of the National Trust of Australia (NSW) after its reformation in 1960) was commissioned by the State Planning Authority to restore the first five houses in Campbelltown, which had been resumed under the Cumberland County Planning Scheme. They included Glenalvon house and stables (Lucas & McGinness, 2012). Tzannetis (1987, 10; and Fowler, 2002, 16) note that it was the firm Fisher, Jackson & Hudson commissioned to carry out the restoration works.

(Heritage architect) Clive Lucas of Fisher, Jackson and Hudson and Lucas recalls this as the conservation project where he first used the then innovative heritage principle of researching and understanding the fabric of a place before attempting conservation, including the use of paint scrapes to establish original paint schemes (Lucas interview, 2011).

The upstairs drawing room was restored to its original proportion by removing a partition. The verandah rooms were linked to the main house by several new doorways which, with the Edwardian bathroom alterations upstairs, were made to conform to the original style of the building. The stair hall marbling, complete with columns (c.1850), had survived under wallpaper and was restored. By careful scraping of successive paint layers it was possible to accurately establish the original colours for restoration. The front upstairs bedroom and drawing room were repainted in their late-Victorian colours. Other colours are original. The weathering effect of oil-based paints is appropriate to historic buildings and oil paint was used on all woodwork. Several later room decorations were restored to illustrate Australian tastes, imagination and ideas during the 3/4 of the last (19th) century (Tzannetis, 1987, 10).

A formal function was held on 11/4/1970 to mark the occasion with some dignitaries arriving in an original Governor Macquarie era coach with many residents and visitors dressed in period costume (CAHS, 2020). This happened as part of the (Captain) Cook Bicentennial celebrations (ibid, 2002, 16).

The house was tenanted by the Oakman family from 1970 to 1999 - for Lloyd and Patricia Oakman and their two sons. At the same time the stables were rented and are used as a resource centre by the Campbelltown and Airds District Historical Society (ibid, 2002, 17; Nicholas, pers.comm., 8/10/2013). With the permission of the state government and Campbelltown Citty Council, the Society built the Alex Goodsell Rural Exhibition Centre in the grounds (ibid, 2002, 17).

The Society's fine and rare collection of early Australian colonial furniture and English Georgian items, although not originally belonging to Glenalvon, comes partly from the district and adds greatly to the charm and significance of the place as a town house. Glenalvon is open for public inspection each sunday and other times by special arrangement (Tzannetis, 1987, 10). Warwick Oakman would go on to become a noted antique dealer, based in Hobart, and later in Richmond, Tasmania (Stuart Read, pers.comm., 8/2/2021).

In c.2002, the State Planning Authority handed management of Glenalvon to Campbelltown City Council, at the same time presenting a cheque for $500,000 to restore the house and stables (ibid, 2002, 17).

So that restoration could take place, the Historical Society was ordered to close the Stables Museum and vacate the premises. Under the supervision of Otto Cserhalmi and Parterns, restoration was carried out in 2002 (ibid, 2002, 18).

The Campbelltown & Airds District Historical Society now manage the building and garden, running displays, meetings, events (Nicholas, pers.comm., 8/10/2013).

In April 2020 the Campbelltown & Airds District Historical Society will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the passing of Glenalvon from private to public ownership. The Society will hold a function on 4 April 2020 with an official welcome, morning tea and sharing of memories - this is open to all. The guest book of the 11/4/1970 handover ceremony will be available for viewing, as the Society wishes to identify some indecipherable signatures in it (CAHS, 2020).

Historic themes

Australian theme (abbrev)New South Wales themeLocal theme
1. Environment-Tracing the evolution of a continent's special environments Environment - naturally evolved-Activities associated with the physical surroundings that support human life and influence or shape human cultures. Gardens-
1. Environment-Tracing the evolution of a continent's special environments Environment - naturally evolved-Activities associated with the physical surroundings that support human life and influence or shape human cultures. Introduce cultural planting-
1. Environment-Tracing the evolution of a continent's special environments Environment - naturally evolved-Activities associated with the physical surroundings that support human life and influence or shape human cultures. Changing the environment-
2. Peopling-Peopling the continent Aboriginal cultures and interactions with other cultures-Activities associated with maintaining, developing, experiencing and remembering Aboriginal cultural identities and practices, past and present. Aboriginal Culture-
2. Peopling-Peopling the continent Aboriginal cultures and interactions with other cultures-Activities associated with maintaining, developing, experiencing and remembering Aboriginal cultural identities and practices, past and present. Daruk Nation - sites evidencing occupation-
2. Peopling-Peopling the continent Aboriginal cultures and interactions with other cultures-Activities associated with maintaining, developing, experiencing and remembering Aboriginal cultural identities and practices, past and present. Dharawal Nation - contact sites-
2. Peopling-Peopling the continent Convict-Activities relating to incarceration, transport, reform, accommodation and working during the convict period in NSW (1788-1850) - does not include activities associated with the conviction of persons in NSW that are unrelated to the imperial 'convict system': use the theme of Law & Order for such activities Demonstrating the Irish convict experience-
2. Peopling-Peopling the continent Convict-Activities relating to incarceration, transport, reform, accommodation and working during the convict period in NSW (1788-1850) - does not include activities associated with the conviction of persons in NSW that are unrelated to the imperial 'convict system': use the theme of Law & Order for such activities Working on private assignment-
2. Peopling-Peopling the continent Convict-Activities relating to incarceration, transport, reform, accommodation and working during the convict period in NSW (1788-1850) - does not include activities associated with the conviction of persons in NSW that are unrelated to the imperial 'convict system': use the theme of Law & Order for such activities Demonstrating convicts' experiences and activities-
2. Peopling-Peopling the continent Convict-Activities relating to incarceration, transport, reform, accommodation and working during the convict period in NSW (1788-1850) - does not include activities associated with the conviction of persons in NSW that are unrelated to the imperial 'convict system': use the theme of Law & Order for such activities Farming by emancipated convicts on land grants-
2. Peopling-Peopling the continent Convict-Activities relating to incarceration, transport, reform, accommodation and working during the convict period in NSW (1788-1850) - does not include activities associated with the conviction of persons in NSW that are unrelated to the imperial 'convict system': use the theme of Law & Order for such activities Demonstrating emancipist's entrepreneurial activities-
2. Peopling-Peopling the continent Convict-Activities relating to incarceration, transport, reform, accommodation and working during the convict period in NSW (1788-1850) - does not include activities associated with the conviction of persons in NSW that are unrelated to the imperial 'convict system': use the theme of Law & Order for such activities Creating a gentleman's estate-
2. Peopling-Peopling the continent Ethnic influences-Activities associated with common cultural traditions and peoples of shared descent, and with exchanges between such traditions and peoples. Irish migrants-
2. Peopling-Peopling the continent Ethnic influences-Activities associated with common cultural traditions and peoples of shared descent, and with exchanges between such traditions and peoples. Irish rural building practises-
2. Peopling-Peopling the continent Ethnic influences-Activities associated with common cultural traditions and peoples of shared descent, and with exchanges between such traditions and peoples. Irish commercial and retail activities-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies Commerce-Activities relating to buying, selling and exchanging goods and services Developing real estate-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies Commerce-Activities relating to buying, selling and exchanging goods and services Innkeeping-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies Environment - cultural landscape-Activities associated with the interactions between humans, human societies and the shaping of their physical surroundings Developing local, regional and national economies-National Theme 3
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies Environment - cultural landscape-Activities associated with the interactions between humans, human societies and the shaping of their physical surroundings Creating environments evocative of the 'old country'-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies Environment - cultural landscape-Activities associated with the interactions between humans, human societies and the shaping of their physical surroundings Landscapes of passive recreation-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies Environment - cultural landscape-Activities associated with the interactions between humans, human societies and the shaping of their physical surroundings Landscapes and gardens of domestic accommodation-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies Environment - cultural landscape-Activities associated with the interactions between humans, human societies and the shaping of their physical surroundings Landscapes and parklands of distinctive styles-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies Events-Activities and processes that mark the consequences of natural and cultural occurences Developing local landmarks-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies Exploration-Activities associated with making places previously unknown to a cultural group known to them. Exploring and surveying for the Crown-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies Exploration-Activities associated with making places previously unknown to a cultural group known to them. Opening Up, 1818-39-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies Transport-Activities associated with the moving of people and goods from one place to another, and systems for the provision of such movements Coaching Inns along roads-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities Accommodation-Activities associated with the provision of accommodation, and particular types of accommodation – does not include architectural styles – use the theme of Creative Endeavour for such activities. Residential-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities Accommodation-Activities associated with the provision of accommodation, and particular types of accommodation – does not include architectural styles – use the theme of Creative Endeavour for such activities. Building settlements, towns and cities-National Theme 4
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities Accommodation-Activities associated with the provision of accommodation, and particular types of accommodation – does not include architectural styles – use the theme of Creative Endeavour for such activities. Housing townsfolk - urban villas-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities Accommodation-Activities associated with the provision of accommodation, and particular types of accommodation – does not include architectural styles – use the theme of Creative Endeavour for such activities. gentlemen's residences-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities Accommodation-Activities associated with the provision of accommodation, and particular types of accommodation – does not include architectural styles – use the theme of Creative Endeavour for such activities. Architectural design-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities Accommodation-Activities associated with the provision of accommodation, and particular types of accommodation – does not include architectural styles – use the theme of Creative Endeavour for such activities. early settlement or worker's cottage-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities Accommodation-Activities associated with the provision of accommodation, and particular types of accommodation – does not include architectural styles – use the theme of Creative Endeavour for such activities. Adapted heritage building or structure-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities Accommodation-Activities associated with the provision of accommodation, and particular types of accommodation – does not include architectural styles – use the theme of Creative Endeavour for such activities. Housing ordinary families-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities Accommodation-Activities associated with the provision of accommodation, and particular types of accommodation – does not include architectural styles – use the theme of Creative Endeavour for such activities. Accommodating travellers and tourists-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities Accommodation-Activities associated with the provision of accommodation, and particular types of accommodation – does not include architectural styles – use the theme of Creative Endeavour for such activities. Housing (regional towns)-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities Land tenure-Activities and processes for identifying forms of ownership and occupancy of land and water, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal 1820s-1850s land grants-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities Land tenure-Activities and processes for identifying forms of ownership and occupancy of land and water, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Early land grants-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities Land tenure-Activities and processes for identifying forms of ownership and occupancy of land and water, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Townships-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities Land tenure-Activities and processes for identifying forms of ownership and occupancy of land and water, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Suburban Centres-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities Land tenure-Activities and processes for identifying forms of ownership and occupancy of land and water, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Housing-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities Land tenure-Activities and processes for identifying forms of ownership and occupancy of land and water, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Administering and alienating Crown lands-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities Land tenure-Activities and processes for identifying forms of ownership and occupancy of land and water, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Changing land uses - from rural to suburban-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities Land tenure-Activities and processes for identifying forms of ownership and occupancy of land and water, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Expressing lines of early grant allotments-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities Land tenure-Activities and processes for identifying forms of ownership and occupancy of land and water, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Demonstrating Governor Macquarie's town and landscape planning-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities Land tenure-Activities and processes for identifying forms of ownership and occupancy of land and water, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Surveying by James Meehan-Aboriginal and European; may include sub-divisions, fences, Survey marks etc.
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages Subdivision of urban estates-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages 19th century suburban developments-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages Macquarie's town layout-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages Creating landmark structures and places in suburban settings-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages Garden suburbs-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages Evolution of railway towns-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages Cultural Social and religious life-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages Developing the social life of a rural community-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages Creating landmark structures and places in regional settings-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages Developing suburbia-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages Beautifying towns and villages-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages Developing government towns-
5. Working-Working Labour-Activities associated with work practises and organised and unorganised labour Working in hospitality industry-
5. Working-Working Labour-Activities associated with work practises and organised and unorganised labour Working independently on the land-
5. Working-Working Labour-Activities associated with work practises and organised and unorganised labour Working with hand tools and implements-
5. Working-Working Labour-Activities associated with work practises and organised and unorganised labour Servants quarters-
5. Working-Working Labour-Activities associated with work practises and organised and unorganised labour Working in an Inn, Public House, Hotel etc.-
5. Working-Working Labour-Activities associated with work practises and organised and unorganised labour Working with animals-
6. Educating-Educating Education-Activities associated with teaching and learning by children and adults, formally and informally. Private education-
6. Educating-Educating Education-Activities associated with teaching and learning by children and adults, formally and informally. Adult Education-
6. Educating-Educating Education-Activities associated with teaching and learning by children and adults, formally and informally. Adapted villa/ cottage for a school-
6. Educating-Educating Education-Activities associated with teaching and learning by children and adults, formally and informally. Community education - adults, school excursions-
6. Educating-Educating Education-Activities associated with teaching and learning by children and adults, formally and informally. Public (primary) schooling-
7. Governing-Governing Government and Administration-Activities associated with the governance of local areas, regions, the State and the nation, and the administration of public programs - includes both principled and corrupt activities. State government-
7. Governing-Governing Government and Administration-Activities associated with the governance of local areas, regions, the State and the nation, and the administration of public programs - includes both principled and corrupt activities. Local government-
7. Governing-Governing Government and Administration-Activities associated with the governance of local areas, regions, the State and the nation, and the administration of public programs - includes both principled and corrupt activities. Colonial government-
7. Governing-Governing Government and Administration-Activities associated with the governance of local areas, regions, the State and the nation, and the administration of public programs - includes both principled and corrupt activities. Suburban Consolidation-
7. Governing-Governing Government and Administration-Activities associated with the governance of local areas, regions, the State and the nation, and the administration of public programs - includes both principled and corrupt activities. Developing roles for government - administration of land-
7. Governing-Governing Government and Administration-Activities associated with the governance of local areas, regions, the State and the nation, and the administration of public programs - includes both principled and corrupt activities. resumption for heritage conservation-
7. Governing-Governing Government and Administration-Activities associated with the governance of local areas, regions, the State and the nation, and the administration of public programs - includes both principled and corrupt activities. Developing roles for government - providing arts and cultural facilities-
7. Governing-Governing Government and Administration-Activities associated with the governance of local areas, regions, the State and the nation, and the administration of public programs - includes both principled and corrupt activities. Developing roles for government - providing museums-
7. Governing-Governing Government and Administration-Activities associated with the governance of local areas, regions, the State and the nation, and the administration of public programs - includes both principled and corrupt activities. Direct vice-regal governance (pre 1856)-
7. Governing-Governing Government and Administration-Activities associated with the governance of local areas, regions, the State and the nation, and the administration of public programs - includes both principled and corrupt activities. Developing roles for government - town and country planning-
7. Governing-Governing Government and Administration-Activities associated with the governance of local areas, regions, the State and the nation, and the administration of public programs - includes both principled and corrupt activities. Developing roles for government - conserving cultural and natural heritage-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities. Developing cultural institutions and ways of life-National Theme 8
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities. work of stonemasons-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities. Landscaping - Federation period-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities. Adaptation of overseas design for local use-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities. Building in response to climate - bushfires-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities. Architectural styles and periods - Victorian Georgian Revival-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities. Designing in an exemplary architectural style-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities. Interior design styles and periods - Colonial-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities. Architectural styles and periods - Georgian Revival-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities. Interior design styles and periods - Victorian-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities. Architectural styles and periods - colonial Georgian-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities. Landscaping - Victorian period-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities. Landscaping - colonial period-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities. Landscaping - 20th century interwar-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities. Landscaping - 20th century post WW2-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities. Architectural styles and periods - Victorian (early)-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Domestic life-Activities associated with creating, maintaining, living in and working around houses and institutions. Ways of life 1900-1950-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Domestic life-Activities associated with creating, maintaining, living in and working around houses and institutions. Ways of life 1950-2000-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Domestic life-Activities associated with creating, maintaining, living in and working around houses and institutions. Ways of life 1788-1850-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Domestic life-Activities associated with creating, maintaining, living in and working around houses and institutions. Ways of life 1850-1900-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Domestic life-Activities associated with creating, maintaining, living in and working around houses and institutions. Ornamental Garden-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Domestic life-Activities associated with creating, maintaining, living in and working around houses and institutions. Living in suburbia-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Domestic life-Activities associated with creating, maintaining, living in and working around houses and institutions. Valuing women's contributions-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Domestic life-Activities associated with creating, maintaining, living in and working around houses and institutions. Living on the urban fringe-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Domestic life-Activities associated with creating, maintaining, living in and working around houses and institutions. Kitchens and servants-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Domestic life-Activities associated with creating, maintaining, living in and working around houses and institutions. Living in a new house-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Domestic life-Activities associated with creating, maintaining, living in and working around houses and institutions. Living in, adapting and renovating homes for changing conditions-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Domestic life-Activities associated with creating, maintaining, living in and working around houses and institutions. Living downtown in a city-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Leisure-Activities associated with recreation and relaxation Horse racing-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Leisure-Activities associated with recreation and relaxation Visiting gardens-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Leisure-Activities associated with recreation and relaxation Going to a Club-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Leisure-Activities associated with recreation and relaxation Gathering at landmark places to socialise-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Leisure-Activities associated with recreation and relaxation Going to the racetrack-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Leisure-Activities associated with recreation and relaxation Horse riding-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Leisure-Activities associated with recreation and relaxation Developing collections of items-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Leisure-Activities associated with recreation and relaxation Activities associated with relaxation and recreation-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Leisure-Activities associated with recreation and relaxation Gardening-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Leisure-Activities associated with recreation and relaxation Going to a museum-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Leisure-Activities associated with recreation and relaxation Visiting heritage places-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Leisure-Activities associated with recreation and relaxation Going shopping downtown-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Leisure-Activities associated with recreation and relaxation Doing research-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Leisure-Activities associated with recreation and relaxation Leisure-Includes tourism, resorts.
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Social institutions-Activities and organisational arrangements for the provision of social activities Community volunteering-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Social institutions-Activities and organisational arrangements for the provision of social activities Fund-raising activities for community charities-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Social institutions-Activities and organisational arrangements for the provision of social activities Developing local clubs and meeting places-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Social institutions-Activities and organisational arrangements for the provision of social activities Belonging to an historical society or heritage organisation-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Social institutions-Activities and organisational arrangements for the provision of social activities Belonging to an institution for self improvement-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Social institutions-Activities and organisational arrangements for the provision of social activities Developing and maintaining a local museum-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Social institutions-Activities and organisational arrangements for the provision of social activities Joining together to study and appreciate philosophy-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Social institutions-Activities and organisational arrangements for the provision of social activities Places of informal community gatherings-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Social institutions-Activities and organisational arrangements for the provision of social activities Providing charity-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Sport-Activities associated with organised recreational and health promotional activities Racing horses-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups Associations with Governor Lt.-Cnl. Sir George Gipps, KB, 1838-1846-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups Associations with Michael Byrne, Government Lumbar Yard apprentice, publican-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups Associations with John Fisher, architect, Cumberland County Council Historic Buildings Committee-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups Associations with Joseph Phelps, farmer, landowner-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups Associations with William Bradbury, emancipated convict landowner-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups Associations with the Cumberland County Council-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups Associations with William Gore, Provost Marshall-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups Associations with Hugh Byrne, emancipated Irish convict, farmer-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups Associations with Henry Lomas, emancipated convict, stonemason-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups Associations with John Roach, stonemason-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups Associations with Catherine Keighan (nee Byrne), publican's wife-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups Associations with John Keighan (Jr.), landowner, bankrupt-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups Associations with William Cyrpian Curtis and Rose Curtis (nee Keighan), landowner-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups Associations with Patrick Keighan, landowner-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups Associations with John Kidd JP, gentleman-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups Associations with Edwin Fieldhouse businessman-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups Associations with William Fieldhouse businessman-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups Associations with Anne Fieldhouse gentlewoman-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups Associations with Dr William Mawson general practitioner-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups Associations with Ald. Samuel Bursill Mayor of Campbelltown-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups Associations with Mrs Whittingham private school proprietor-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups Associations with Mercy Bursill (nee Poulter), gentlewoman-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups Associations with Ted King, dentist-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups Associations with Edward, Mercy (Jr.) and Samuel King, gentlefolk-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups Associations with Hilda Davidson (nee Bursill), gentlewoman, Sunday School teacher, organist-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups Associations with the State Planning Authority-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups Associations with Lloyd and Patricia Oakman and family-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups Associations with Governor (later Maj-Gen.) Lachlan Macquarie, 1810-1821-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups Associations with John Keighran, miller, land owner, publican-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups Associations with Campbelltown and Airds District Historical Society-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups Associations with Fisher, Jackson and Hudson, architects-

Assessment of significance

SHR Criteria a)
[Historical significance] 		Glenalvon is of historical significance as one of the oldest urban townhouses surviving in the township of Campbelltown. It is of further historical significance for it association with early and prominent families of the Campbelltown district and for its links to a way of life which has long since disappeared.
SHR Criteria c)
[Aesthetic significance] 		Glenalvon is of high aesthetic significance as a particularly fine Colonial Georgian sandstone residence retaining much of its 1840s fabric intact. The stables buildings are also of high aesthetic significance as are the grounds which give an indication of the early curtilage of the property. The house combined with its grounds are important as reminders of the setting of early town houses with their generously landscaped grounds. Both the building and grounds make a considerable contribution to the historic townscape of Campbelltown.
SHR Criteria d)
[Social significance] 		Glenalvon is of high social significance for its association with several prominent Campbelltown families and for its demonstration of the early pattern of life in the original township.
SHR Criteria e)
[Research potential] 		Glenalvon is of high technical/research significance for its demonstration of colonial building techniques and for its use of local building materials and craftsmen, particularly the stonemasons, some of whom were convicts.
SHR Criteria f)
[Rarity] 		Glenalvon is a rare surviving example of an 1840s townhouse to survive with much of its 1840s fabric and grounds intact, indicating the stature of such houses at the time of their construction.
SHR Criteria g)
[Representativeness] 		Glenalvon is an excellent example of an 1840s townhouse in the Colonial Georgian style.
Integrity/Intactness: Glenalvon has survived with much of its significanct 1840s fabric intact and the original curtilage and setting of the property can still be interpreted. The property has high overall integrity.
Assessment criteria: Items are assessed against the PDF State Heritage Register (SHR) Criteria to determine the level of significance. Refer to the Listings below for the level of statutory protection.

Recommended management:

Ongoing conservation and maintenance works as required by statutory planning controls, including conservation of the garden supervised by a specialist in historic garden conservation.

Recommendations

Management CategoryDescriptionDate Updated
Recommended ManagementReview a Conservation Management Plan (CMP) 
Recommended ManagementPrepare a maintenance schedule or guidelines 
Recommended ManagementCarry out interpretation, promotion and/or education 

Procedures /Exemptions

Section of actDescriptionTitleCommentsAction date
57(2)Exemption to allow workHeritage Act - Site Specific Exemptions General Maintenance. Refer to standard exemptions gazetted 23 October 1998.

Order Under Section 57(2) to exempt the following activities from Section 57(1):
(1) The maintenance of any building or item on the site where maintenance means the continuous protective care of existing material.
(2) Garden maintenance including cultivation, pruning, weed control, the repair and maintenance of existing fences, gates and garden walls, and tree surgery but not extensive lopping. 		Aug 7 1987
CMP-EndorseConservation Plan submitted for endorsementConservation Plan CMP endorsed by Heritage Council 24 July 2000 for a period of five years, expires 24 July 2005. Jul 24 2000
57(2)Exemption to allow workStandard Exemptions HERITAGE ACT 1977

ORDER UNDER SECTION 57(2) TO GRANT STANDARD EXEMPTIONS FROM APPROVAL

I, Penny Sharpe, the Minister for Heritage, on the recommendation of the Heritage Council of New South Wales and under section 57(2) of the Heritage Act 1977:

revoke the order made on 2 June 2022 and published in the Government Gazette Number 262 of 17 June 2022; and

grant an exemption from section 57(1) of the Act in respect of the engaging in or carrying out the class of activities described in clause 2 Schedule A in such circumstances specified by the relevant standards in clause 2 Schedule A and General Conditions in clause 3 Schedule A.

This Order takes effect on the date it is published in the NSW Government Gazette.

Dated this 29th day of October 2025
The Hon Penny Sharpe MLC
Minister for Heritage

For more information on standard exemptions click on the link below. 		Nov 7 2025

PDF Standard exemptions for engaging in or carrying out activities / works otherwise prohibited by section 57(1) of the Heritage Act 1977

Listings

Heritage ListingListing TitleListing NumberGazette DateGazette NumberGazette Page
Heritage Act - State Heritage Register 0000402 Apr 99 271546
Heritage Act - Permanent Conservation Order - former 0000427 Apr 79 0571987
Heritage Act - s.170 NSW State agency heritage register  11 Feb 99   
Cumberland County Council list of Historic Buildings 1961-67     
National Trust of Australia register Classified 01 Feb 74   
Register of the National Estate  21 Mar 78   

Study details

TitleYearNumberAuthorInspected byGuidelines used
Campbelltown City Council Heritage Study199416Campbelltown City CouncilNot known Yes
s.170 Register DUAP1999 Paul Davies Pty Ltd  Yes
Colonial Landscapes of the Cumberland Plain and Camden, NSW2000 Morris, C., & Britton, G./NSW National Trust (for the Heritage Council of NSW)  Yes

References, internet links & images

TypeAuthorYearTitleInternet Links
WrittenAitken, Richard2002Villa Garden (entry) View detail
WrittenArchicture in Australia1970Restoration of Glenalvon, Lithgow Street, Campbelltown for the State Planning Authority of NSW View detail
WrittenCampbelltown and Airds District Historical Society2020Glenalvon Historic House (entry in RSVP)
TourismCampbelltown and Airds Historical Society2007Glenalvon View detail
WrittenFowler, Verlie2002Glenalvon, Campbelltown NSW
WrittenHelen Proudfoot (ed)1977Colonial Buildings: Macarthur Growth Centre - Campbelltown Camden Appin
WrittenInterviewed by Bronwyn Hanna2011Oral history interview with Clive Lucas View detail
WrittenJill Bonney P/L.1987Department of Environment and Planning - Historic Buildings - Status Report, 9/1987 View detail
WrittenLucas, Clive & McGinness, Mark2012'John Fisher - 1924-2012 - champion of the state's structures'
WrittenNicholas, Gerri2013personal communication (email 8/10/2013)
WrittenOakman, Warwick, in Broadbent, J., Clarke, S.&C. and Oakman, W.2008Furnishing the Colonial Bungalow
WrittenOtto Cserhalmi and Partners1999Glenalvon 8-10 Lithgow Street, Campbelltown: a plan for its conservation and management View detail
WrittenTzannetis, Sylvia1987'Glenalvon'

Note: internet links may be to web pages, documents or images.
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(Click on thumbnail for full size image and image details)

Data source

The information for this entry comes from the following source:
Name: Heritage NSW
Database number: 5045750
File number: EF14/4525; S90/6168; H99/55

Every effort has been made to ensure that information contained in the State Heritage Inventory is correct. If you find any errors or omissions please send your comments to the Database Manager.

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